SPRINGFIELD, IL - Gladys Koonce, 65, of Springfield, died at 3:11 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at Heartland Nursing Home in Peoria, Ill.

She was born Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1950, in Springfield, to the late Paul and Daisy (Applegate) Miller. She was a graduate of Lanphier High School, Flamingo Beauty College, and later the nursing program at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.

Surviving are two children with Bill Koonce: daughter, Tanya Koonce of Peoria, and son, Aaron "Bill" (Debbie) Koonce of Maroa; two grandchildren, Tanner and Charlotte Koonce of Maroa; one brother, Dick (Carolyn) Miller; four sisters: Joyce Rhodes, Virginia Cody, Martha (Larry) Ketchum, and Mary (Dan) Deatherage. She is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews, and more than 30 grand- and great-grand-nieces and nephews, notably among them: Kari (Tony) Byerly of Hudson, Ohio, Jodi Perko of Springfield, and Anita (Randy) Clause of New Berlin.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Paula Perko.

Gladys was a member of Trinity Nazarene Church in Springfield.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home.

There will be a memorial service at10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to the ALSA Chicago Chapter that serves Central Illinois.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Rochester, IL 62563 is in charge of arrangements. Visit our online obituary at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.